Not A Small-Town Girl

"We need to get out of here." David muttered, cradling Danielle’s unconscious form in his arms as he strode toward the exit. Seeing the girl’s battered body, his heart clenched. The weapons used against them must have been poisoned—if only he’d gotten there sooner, she wouldn’t be in this condition.

"Call the doctor at Blackpool Village," he ordered Nathan in a low, urgent tone.

"Yes, sir." Nathan didn’t waste a second. There was no signal in this cave, so he pulled out their specialized phone to contact the doctor, emphasizing the need for extra hands—three unconscious bodies meant they needed all the help they could get.

The group navigated through the winding paths, carefully heading out of the cave.

Aran waved his hand. "Get into cover." The words had barely left his lips when gunfire erupted from all sides. There was nowhere to hide near the entrance.

"Inside the cave, now! It’s a trap!" Aran growled, his eyes flashing with fury. "We break out and take care of them. No time to waste. If Danielle has any more setbacks..."

He couldn’t finish the thought. With David’s current regard for her, the mere idea was unimaginable.

"You too," Jaden ordered his bodyguards.

a flash, the sound of

they were skilled. Aran quickly located one of their hidden positions and, like a force of nature, plunged

killers reacted with lethal speed, firing at Aran, but he smirked, undeterred. "Who

avoided a bullet, then side-kicked an assassin squarely in the temple, sending him

"Who sent you?"

of the assassins drew a knife and lunged at

blur of motion, Aran shot him through the head before the knife could strike, his hand steady, his mind sharp. They didn’t have much ammo

The sounds of

she

murderous intent seeping into his words. He had no idea who had sent them or what their intentions were,

every shallow breath, his irritation

blood, startling Howard and

happening? Hang in there, I’ll get you the antidote. Whatever it takes, I will save

gaze locked on Danielle’s pale face, his eyes never leaving her for